Archive for June, 2010

Celebrities with Permanent Makeup and Tattoos

Top Five Sunscreen Misconceptions

With summer fast approaching, it’s time to pay special attention to daily sunscreen application. As a self-proclaimed “Casper”, I take sunscreen very seriously. (I have to if I don’t want to turn into a lobster after 20 minutes in the California sun.) Even though most people aren’t as pale as I am, everyone should treat their skin as if it were as sensitive to the sun as mine. Why? Although your skin may not exhibit the redness of sun damage, the damage is still occurring.

Just like the belief that no redness means no damage, there are a lot of other misconceptions surrounding sunscreen moisturizers. Here’s a quick look at the top five sunscreen misconceptions and the truth surrounding them.

SPF 30 + SPF 20 = SPF 50
Mixing or layering skin care products with SPF ratings does not create a higher SPF. Your protection against the sun’s rays is only as strong as the strongest SPF applied. That means if you apply a sunscreen with an SPF 30, a moisturizer with an SPF 15, and a foundation with an SPF 8, your protection will still be an SPF 30.

Side Note: Did you know that an SPF 30 gives only 2% more protection than an SPF 15? The higher rating is still superior, but you shouldn’t worry if you end up using a lower SPF when a higher one isn’t available.

More is Better
A higher SPF rating is not necessarily better. SPF ratings refer only to the protection provided against UVB rays, even though the skin also needs to be protected from UVA rays (the “aging rays” that cause visible signs of aging such as skin wrinkles) and free radicals. Therefore, it’s important to choose a broad-spectrum sunblock that features a good SPF, antioxidants, and ingredients that block UVA rays. The FDA is currently working on a rating revision that will provide a better idea of how much protection a formula truly provides.

No Sun, No Damage
Even if the sun is nowhere in sight, it’s pesky UV rays can still damage your skin! Sunscreen should be worn year round, regardless of weather conditions. Damage is just as likely to occur in winter while you’re driving in your car as it is in summer while you’re playing on the beach. So, don’t skimp just because of clouds, rain, or even shade.

Baby Sunscreen is for Babies
Ok, so baby sunscreen is technically for babies, but did you know that baby sunscreen formulations are almost identical to adult formulations? Separate sunscreens for babies, children and adults are mostly marketing schemes designed to make you, the consumer, buy the same product multiple times. Some products designed for children do contain gentler ingredients, but most of them have no difference other than packaging. Therefore, you’re welcome to use your little one’s sunscreen without compromising your skin’s safety!

Last is Best
Many people like to apply their sunscreen moments before they walk out the door in order to prolong the amount of time between on-the-go applications. However, sunscreen actually takes about 20-30 minutes to activate. This means that if you apply your protective formula right before you walk into the sun, you’ll have almost a half an hour of unprotected sun exposure! If you apply your sunscreen during your morning skin care routine, it should be activated by the time you leave the house. Make sure to reapply every 90-120 minutes, especially if you’re going to be outside between the hours of 10am-4pm.

Do you recall the process you went through to ensure your permanent cosmetic procedure(s) met your specifications?  Choosing the perfect technician, the design and color selection process, understanding and complying with the healing  instructions, and finally, just what you wanted for yourself – a convenient lifestyle.   Now you have the opportunity to either actively take routine measures to preserve your permanent cosmetic procedure(s) or accept the fact that not doing so will result in the need for a color refresher appointment earlier than  planned.

There are many enemies of permanent cosmetics; however there  is no other enemy that does the overall damage as the sun.  Other enemies are some prescription drugs and skin maintenance products that we use on our face that contain ingredients not recommended for application on your permanent cosmetics.

Many clients have expressed they feel sun screen/block products are a bother; They are greasy, clog the pores, burn the eyes, disturb conventional makeup foundation appearance,  and so on it goes.  A common retort to my advice to wear sun screen/block is that I wear a hat, I wear sunglasses, I never go out in to the sun. You are uninformed if you  believe any of these precautionary measures alone protect you adequately from the damaging affects of the sun. You need to use an effective sunscreen.

In addition to the damaging affects of the sun, consider the time spent in public pools or in salt water during leisure time at the beach.  The disinfecting chemicals used to maintain health standards of swimming pools are harsh, and people with permanent cosmetics need to take measures to protect their procedures from  the color altering affects of these chemicals.  Salt water is a very drying natural element and in conjunction with the sun, can substantially contribute to lightening your permanent cosmetic procedure(s).

In order to  preserve your investment in your permanent cosmetics, a substantial  SPF sunscreen or block should be worn at all times on your eyebrows and your lips.  Contact your Dermatologist and ask about the benefits of a sun block product called Ti-Silk by Procyte.  It has been my experience that this SPF 45 Sun Block is one of the best guards against the damaging affects of the sun’s rays and provides protective measures for permanent cosmetics.  It is waterproof, is creamy in texture and has a nice tinted base.  Many people wear it alone as a moisturizer.  This product is not sold in general or department stores, it is only sold to physicians and those in the  beauty and medical industry that are sponsored by physicians.  The cost is minimal, the benefits countless.  If you cannot locate a provider that caries Ti-Silk, investigate other similar sun block products with your skin care provider.   There are many that do not produce undesirable affects.

Washing the face with products that contain glycolic acids and/or those that cause lightening of the skin or accelerated exfoliation can work against maintaining your permanent cosmetics in a  pristine condition.  If you have a skin care specialist, ask for professional  advice about the ingredients in your skin care products and if they contain products which promote exfoliation, skin lightening, or acids, please dont use these products directly on your permanent cosmetic procedures.

Follow some simple procedures to protect your permanent cosmetics investment:

Always wear a sun screen or sunblock

Wear a hat that shields your face from the sun

Wear sunglasses that screen out harmful sunrays

  Avoid putting skin lightening, acid based. or any other skin care products that promote accelerated exfoliation directly on the areas of your procedure

If planning on activities that take you in public pools or salt water, in addition to your waterproof sunscreen, apply a thin layer of ointment to help waterproof the eyebrows and lips.

Dont excuse yourself from procedure color saving routines feeling you can always return to your technician for a color refresher.  The color you enjoy will only remain pristine if you protect it. Environmental stress elements and products that have an adverse affect.

Have fun in the summer months, but do it safely, and with the goal of preserving the quality of your skin and the permanent cosmetics you chose as an investment in  your appearance.

Softouch Now offers trained technicians to wax around your Permanent makeup.  Such as eyebrows and Lips.

Facials are also offered with Oil-Free products by a specifically trained Esthetician in our Studio

I’m Concerned About the Word “Permanent

o What if I don’t like the color? Oh No!

o What if the technician makes a mistake? Oops!

o What if I just don’t like it? Ugh!

Hold your horses – Let me alleviate your fears! Permanent makeup needs to be applied 2 or 3 times (4 weeks apart) to be truly permanent. It’s true. The first time you have permanent makeup applied, it will be a little darker than you imagined, but much of it will flake off by the time it has healed (2-4 wks). This means that you need to come back to have additional color applied.

Think of it as painting a house or car. They require several coats of paint, right? Permanent makeup acts the same way. Typically, it needs to be layered on to achieve the desired outcome. Upon completion of a procedure, the color will be brighter and darker than the final outcome. During the 7-14 days of healing, small amounts of pigment will flake off during healing – think of it as the body doing its job by expelling the pigment during the healing period. This means if the color is not right, the technician can modify it on the touchup visits. If the technician places pigment in a place it shouldn’t be, it probably will flake off during the healing period or can be adjusted or removed at the next appt.

What if you don’t like it? Only a very small percentage of people end up not liking it. Why? Because they had unrealistic expectations of the procedure to begin with. They likely didn’t do their research to know what to expect. Alleviate your concerns: Talk to your technician and ask questions!

Permanent Makeup Is Ingenuity at its Best

Since time began, humans have been decorating their bodies with color . Permanent makeup is not new nor is it a trend destined to go out of style next season. It’s here to stay because it’s so timeless. It’s popular because it is ingenuity at its best! If you’re applying makeup everyday anyway, why not save yourself some time and money and just have it done permanently? We all know makeup applied sparingly makes a woman more attractive if not downright beautiful. What you may not realize is that many woman have already had their makeup applied permanently.

Perfect brows, lips & eyeliner can be yours with Permanent makeup – done so subtly, naturally, and beautifully only YOU know you have it. Think of the time savings! Do you reach for that lipstick after a meal because of embarrassing chalky, pasty, white lips? Imagine now your lips are permanently colored – a natural baby pink color (or your choice) that you’ve wanted forever. If your brows are sparse, or your lips uneven, you are probably a candidate for permanent makeup. Since it is applied so subtly, you don’t have to worry that it will be too dark, or unnatural. In summary, permanent makeup is what woman are having done these days – and they’re very happy they finally did it! What are you waiting for?

Eyebrows

As time goes by, many women begin to lose their eyebrows. Or, if they tweezed or shaved them in the ’80’s often-times they didn’t grow back. With permanent makeup, beautiful brows can be yours without the fuss of pencils that wear off or smear. The “After” photo shown on this website, shows how color can be placed behind the brow hairs giving a more sophisticated, polished, finished look.

Nobody likes pain, but who said it has to hurt? This is the 21st Century. Might scientists have created something that numbs so well that pain is not felt? The answer is a profound “YES”. There are many topical anesthetics available for the technician to numb the area prior to permanent makeup. The topical cream is applied before the permanent makeup procedure; the timer is set for 15-20 minutes and bingo – numb! Topical anesthetics usually contain any combination of the following: Lidocaine, Tetracaine, Benzocaine or Epinephrine, in an emollient base. Since the effects of pain can include swelling, bleeding and delayed healing, it’s important to both technician and client to alleviate pain. The safest topicals have a pH balance close to human tears which is 7.5. These products numb so well, that the procedure is very tolerable and that’s why so many people are having this done!

If putting on eyeliner, lip stick and foundation each day has become a chore, the latest developments in permanent makeup offer a solution for saving time on that makeup routine.   

Permanent makeup is essentially a skin tattoo that adds coloring to specific areas of the face. The makeup can be used to enhance features that always require makeup, such as the eyebrows, lips and eyelashes but it’s not only an option for the average beauty regiment. 

Those who cannot apply makeup themselves, or those who have a serious skin condition that prevents them from wearing standard makeup can benefit from the ‘tattoo’ treatment while enhancing their looks. If you’ve ever wondered if permanent makeup is a good match for you and your lifestyle, consider these benefits and drawbacks of the procedure:  

Key Benefits of Permanent Cosmetics

Permanent cosmetics can be used on several areas of the face, and most treatments last up to a decade. Not only can you throw away that mascara wand for good with permanent eyelashes, but you might be able to skip the lipstick completely with permanent lip color. Other benefits of permanent cosmetics include:  

• Easy way to camouflage scars – from acne scars to age spots, permanent makeup can successfully cover up patches of skin and enhance other features for a more balanced appearance
• Reduced risk of skin irritation or allergies from conventional makeup – those who suffer from skin allergies and sensitivities to traditional makeup can still enjoy enhancing their features
• Lower costs of buying makeup – the average cost of permanent makeup is $400 – $600 per session, with advanced sessions ranging from $550 – $700+. A natural look that can be enhanced further with real makeup if needed – since permanent cosmetics are essentially a tattoo on the skin, real makeup can be applied over them to create a unique look
• Valuable to those who are vision impaired and have trouble applying cosmetics on a regular basis
• Saves time on daily application of makeup and beauty products  

Permanent makeup is also valuable to those suffering from neurological diseases that cause unsteady hands and poor motor coordination.  Sufferers of Parkinson’s disease or those with arthritis can enjoy an improvement in their looks with the help of permanent cosmetics.  

• Permanent cosmetics can be used for the following key areas:
• Hairline – to reduce the appearance of hair loss
• Lips – either a full lip color or lipliner
• Eyelashes – permanent eyeliner or eyelash replacements
• Beauty marks – either adding or removing marks for a unique look
• Eyebrows – adding color to the eyebrows to create a fuller, more balanced look  

Drawbacks of Permanent Cosmetics  

Although permanent makeup offers several benefits, there are some drawbacks of pursuing this artificial look.  The downside of permanent cosmetics includes:

• Some pain involved – permanent cosmetics are applied like a tattoo, and may cause discomfort during and after the procedure. Still, this can be treated with topical anesthetic.
• No chance of reversal – the procedure does create permanent pigmentation of the skin which makes it difficult to make changes after the session. Still, skin lightening products and laser therapy may provide some resolution for areas that appear to be too dark or results are not what were expected
• Safety – not all services may be administered by a qualified professional. Finding a qualified permanent makeup specialist lowers the risk of contracting an infection or other disease from an infected needle .  Make sure everything is disposable.  Always check credentials, and ask questions.